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Traffic is seen during this long-shutter exposure of vehicles traveling on Washington's Capitol Beltway in Fairfax County, Virginia

If you're leaving town for the Fourth of July, now's the time to start thinking about your drive.

With July Fourth falling on a Wednesday this year, Monday and Tuesday are looking like the worst days to be on the road in the D.C. area. Tuesday looks especially bad, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic and the transportation analytics firm INRIX.

"Although travel times are expected to nominally increase throughout the week, Tuesday afternoon will, hands down, be the worst time to be on the road. Our advice to drivers is to avoid peak commuting hours altogether or consider alternative routes," INRIX General Manager Scott Sedlik said.

The very worst time to be on the road is expected to be the Tuesday afternoon rush hour, from 4 to 6 p.m., AAA says. Holiday travelers will mix with commuters leaving work.

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Route 50 East is expected to be particularly bad at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, with an estimated delay of an hour and six minutes. Vehicles are expected to be moving then at just 21 mph.

Before hitting the road, AAA advises that you have your battery tested, look for engine coolant leaks and check the condition of your tires. Be prepared with a cellphone and charger, a flashlight, a tool kit, water and snacks.